Common Skin Diseases and Disorders

Question 1

acne

Answer 1

A common skin disorder of adolescence, due to rapid growth of sebaceous cells. It causes pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads when the hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells.

Question 2

Actinic keratosis

Answer 2

Precancerous condition caused by sun exposure.

Question 3

alopecia

Answer 3

loss of hair

Question 4

bulla

Answer 4

raised, fluid filled lesion larger than a vesicle

Question 5

cutaneous

Answer 5

pertaining to the skin

Question 6

dermatitis

Answer 6

inflammation of the skin

Question 7

ecchymosis

Answer 7

Condition in which there is bleeding beneath the skin, causing discoloration.

Question 8

eschar

Answer 8

After a burn, the damaged skin or tissue may turn black or brown and become necrotic (dead; it may be loose or firmly adhered to the underlying tissue; may be hard, soft, or soggy.

Question 9

granulation tissue

Answer 9

In the process of healing, the open wound begins to have a pink/red, moist appearance as this tissue consists of inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, new blood vessels, and connective tissue; it usually appears as a berry-like irregular surface.

Question 10

Impetigo

Answer 10

Bacterial infection which causes eruption of yellow or red weeping or crusting pustular lesions.

Question 11

jaundice

Answer 11

Yellowness of skin. This is a symptom of liver disease and not a skin disorder per se.

Question 12

Keloid scar

Answer 12

(hyperthrophic scar tissue) is excess growth of connective tissue that forms over the injured skin for protection.

Question 13

Lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Answer 13

Chronic, progressive disease affecting connective tissues. It may also affect other organs in the body such as the lung, kidney, and heart.

Question 14

Melanoma

Answer 14

Pigmented malignant tumor of the skin; the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

Question 15

Non-granulating

Answer 15

Absence of granulation tissue; wound surface appears smooth and red as opposed to granular and berry-like.

Question 16

pediculosis

Answer 16

infestation with lice

Question 17

pruritus

Answer 17

severe itching

Question 18

psoriasis

Answer 18

chronic skin disorder characterized by the presence of red, scaly plaques.

Question 19

Scabies

Answer 19

Contagious skin infection caused by an itch mite.

Question 20

Scleroderma

Answer 20

Thickening and tightening of the skin.

Question 21

Tinea

Answer 21

Ringworm (a fungal infection of the skin).

Question 22

Trichomycosis

Answer 22

Fungal infection of the hair.

Question 23

Ulcer

Answer 23

Lesion resulting from destruction of the skin and perhaps subcutaneous tissue.

Question 24

Urticaria

Answer 24

Raised wheals, or hives, on the skin with itching.

Question 25

Vesicle

Answer 25

Fluid-filled, raised lesion less than 5 mm in size; a blister or bleb.

Question 26

Wheal

Answer 26

Smooth, rounded, slightly raised area often associated with itching; seen in urticaria (hives), such as that resulting from allergy.